Atlantis

[Apollymi]

Hikari heard out Karna and that lad also claimed to have arrived at the level he was at when he was outside in their world. Seriri considered this as well, and she too had arrived at the level she'd been adventuring at. "Hm, that is weird, I also arrived at my level of play..." she said calmly. "Eh, I wasn't very far in and I arrived at my own level as well. I was a bit stunned when Nii-san mentioned he'd come in at level one and run into her... but that allowed them to level together," Hikari clarified. Of course, there was a lot to be considered about their future endeavors with matching this pair up, but it was almost as if the universe itself was aiming to do so as well...

In the meantime as Miki traveled alongside Akashi, the lad heard out her major plan and he had a bit of input. His main idea being that it was apparently not going to pan out because of the lack of progression in the Atlantean Kingdom to start with. She'd already considered this, of course not to as great an extent as Akashi or Kou... or the person behind them had. The lass gave a gentle sigh. "Yeah yeah, I've already considered that. The will of the people isn't really my thing, but I know for a fact the Atlanteans need the humans here," she said with a curt nod. "If they didn't, this entire Kingdom wouldn't be underwater and unrecognized as one of importance by the five. At this point even the Lizardfolk are better acclimated to modern politics," she said very calmly. "Besides, what the weak tend to bring to the table in this situation is innovation, the ability to figure out problems that don't necessarily involve muscle or just being strong. It only really takes a single moment of progress to level the playing field or cause the revolution... either works theoretically. One such moment is probably how one like Tsu-chan ended up in charge of this place..." she mentioned though thinking about this mildly was why she'd taken her first set of actions. "But knowing that just trying to shift this would likely cause some sort of outright war is at least part of the reason I claimed the Lich King's Obelisk... It would likely be the first place anyone with old knowledge turned to when things started going south. With that off the table I can prolong the inevitable, while someone else figures out what to do with the remaining people. I did mention a great number of listless adults being a problem, and it seems like you are more suited to dealing with that aspect. The people problem." she said calmly. Even now in this moment with him as a completely different person, Miki had made the assumption the lad would do what was necessary to calm the rest of the people and stop the rebellion brewing, in the same way they had in Eonis while such a thing was doable.

[Bloodedge]

"Hmm. It might be something worth figuring out. With that kind of issue being exclusive to them of the people we know, it might mean our little princess is gonna get the Devouring next. Though, she'll probably be fine for now..." As a former Dragonewt, Karna had a bit of interesting insight. He knew what it felt like to be a Dragon in the presence of another Dragon. If Miki was destined to contract the Devouring as well, he imagined it would come at a later time...

Akashi could agree that humans were necessary to the structure of an ideal Atlantis, but he also understood that humanity was both the bane and boon of all civilization. However, the Merfolk of Atlantis would not see things that way as a whole. "The humans will be killed off by war before they can bring their innovation to Atlantis. Mankind excels as a developmental species, but never when the world around them is above their current comprehension. That takes time, and an especially clever person even among humans. Atlantis is too far gone." Fair enough, Miki had removed the Lich King's potential influence over any individual in Atlantis. Sadly, there was a very real possibility that, if in the right hands, it could have turned the tides for the sake of good in this kingdom. Still, it wasn't worth the gamble at all. Even as he was, Akashi was likely to do something about this issue... albeit in a very different way, and only under the condition that nothing more suited to his personal interests occurred. "They're all pathetic. If power is what breaks them down like this, power will be what brings order. Rise of the humans, fall of the mer."

[Apollymi]

Karna made an interesting point about the nature of the pair's entrance into the world and their potentially shared sickness. Seriri thought about it for a few seconds and though she'd never heard of anything like this happening simply because of a reason like that, it might be something which needed handling in a more direct fashion. "If you think she'll be fine for now, I am alright with that, though I am unsure why you say that..." Seriri said. "But the devouring has no real cure and I can force the shift between existing avatars but there is no telling if constantly doing so will cause issues with those other avatars as well. It might be good to try and consult some others... I knew of a 'witch' who was trying to treat the Devouring, before I settled here. She might be able to give them a more solid solution than I can currently offer," the Queen of the Merfolk offered such information. As far as she knew this pair would be fine thus they could be emissaries in this part, and the other two could stay close by in case of a relapse. "Whatever, I'll go do it. I can't have my brother dying on me after I went through all the trouble of finding him here and I finally have the chance to attach him to a proper Nee-san. Nope, opportunity has come knocking I can't let them down. And I haven't felt sick at all since I ended up here," said Hikari with a decent bit of spunk. At her current level she wasn't exactly a huge threat, but she had been taking care of herself decently since she first arrived in this world. A simple fetching quest couldn't be too much for her potentially.

Akashi seemed to have quite a bit to say on the necessity of humans, and even the type of humans needed to fix the problems of Atlantis. And he did all of this while stating the largest negatives, the main ones being that the humans would be killed off by war, long before their innovations could take hold. This was fair enough unless there was something in their possession already which would allow them to deal with the Atlanteans which obviously there wasn't because they were still being treated as lesser than their peers. "Fair... that is pretty problematic. I'll be the first to admit it... but I am under the impression that there at at least a few clever people here," she said with a chuckle. "And a dragon... that's important~" she said in a manner most sarcastic and a tiny bit cheeky. They arrived at the palace and were casually moving up the inclined steps while neither of them touched the ground. "Down with the Mer and up with the Humans. I can back that financially and even structure the economy that way. If you think it works, I can support it..." she mused, something about her agreement with this statement made her head feel strange. There was the gentle rushing sound in her ears like running water and it felt like something was pushing at her from inside. The hand beneath her chin moved up the right side of her face as she suppressed what felt like water pressure within her head.

[Bloodedge]

"Because it's accurate. Haven't you heard anything I've ever said?" Karna replied to the curiosity of Seriri. As far as he was concerned, it was only a matter of time now. Actually, he could be colored surprised that his gatherings hadn't come to fruition already. Alas, there were more important matters. An emissary would be necessary to find a potential cure for the Devouring, and Hikari volunteered to be just that. Surely she was overestimating herself just a bit, right? Karna couldn't be having that. "I'm not going to stick around and play nurse while someone else gets to go do real Adventurer work. I'm in."

Following Miki's mention of there being a Dragon present, Akashi floated out ahead, and turned to face the girl. By the time she reached mention of supporting his clause, he'd felt it. The one he knew was there, reaching out to meet him as a proper Dragon should. In response, Akashi reached out with his right hand, which would carve a path toward Miki's chest, where it intended to lay as he made his point known. "Two Dragons. You also have the power of influence... Tatsuki," he said while retaining a very direct amount of eye contact, as if he intended to peer through Miki and view the Dragon within.

[Apollymi]

"Yes yes, we've heard you say things, it doesn't mean skepticism isn't healthy," these were the words of Seriri. Of course they had more distinct matters to get to of course and this included the apparent volunteering of both of these individuals to go off and find a more reliable source of saving for their companions. "Well if both of you are going there isn't anything to worry about..." she said calmly. "The 'Witch' you are looking for is the Witch of the Black Forest, her name is Lilura. She's a sorceress and the closest thing this world knows to a proper Doctor. She's been alive for a long time, so she's a bit strange to talk to... but the last time I saw her she was developing magical objects to stave off the fevers and looking for a potential cure for the Devouring," she said calmly. "She's probably somewhere in the Black Forest... so I'd say be careful, that starts at the edge of the Dragon Lagoon and goes pretty far inland," she offered. This was about all the information which she could give about what they were looking for. "Hai hai, come on... Dick-sensei. We've gotta keep our targets alive, we can worry more directly about hooking them up after~"

In the meantime, Akashi moved in front of Miki stopping ahead and facing her in such a way that she had to stop herself from running into his chest again rather abruptly. But it seemed she was destined not to be able to avoid physical contact with this Dragonoid today. In fact, he reached out for her, carving a line towards her chest which he made contact with simply by virtue of her not being able to move past him or around him fast enough to avoid it. When this happened she felt it again, like a pulse of power washing over her skin, or the swirling of a riptide beneath her flesh. Such power would be seen briefly in her very eyes. "Power of Influence? I'm Miki... not..." she paused it was like she wasn't allowed to mention not being Tatsuki at this moment while staring at the lad before her. 'What the hell is going on with me...' she wondered. That being said she couldn't really stop herself from looking at the lad. He was way too close, and something about this staring felt challenging and as such she couldn't look away, it seemed like she'd be losing if she did.

[Bloodedge]

It seemed an agreement had been reached. Hikari would make the journey, and Karna would be joining her. It was likely for the best, since the Dungeon which gave them all access to Atlantis would be closing soon. At that time, there would be much difficulty in leaving and returning, which would especially be a problem for someone stricken the way Kou had been. Alas, any leave they would take was destined to come later. Karna shifted his gaze, realizing that the pair they spoke of were in sight within the palace, albeit quite distant still.

"Power of Influence. You're a Dragon. We are living Artifacts. Where we exist, there could be a cataclysm at any moment. Even an idiot can feel it." Everything Akashi said, he said while his hand was pressed against Miki's sternum. Eye contact continued, with Miki even returning it with a demeanor that implied challenging. "You can hear me. I feel it. My Tatsuki." With these words, his hand rose gradually, sliding along her sternum and neck until it found its resting place by lifting her chin. In that very moment, his own face also drew dangerously close to Miki's, still maintaining the same intensity of eye contact.

[Apollymi]

Karna was soon staring off into the distance, and Seriri followed his line of sight as well. She saw the two who'd previously left in such a rush, stopped for some reason she didn't yet understand. Hikari was also shifting just a bit, seemingly annoyed as she took a seat on the arm of the throne for the sake of not standing for too much longer. 'Yare yare, how long does it take to retrieve a single item... what is the hold up?!' she wondered petulantly.

In the time where the others looked on from a great distance, Miki found herself in a staring match with a Dragon she didn't want to lose. Beyond this, it was pointed out by this lad exactly what Dragons were by their nature in terms she found conventionally acceptable. His explanation explained the sudden pulsing of power she felt within her body but if this reaction was simply to a Dragon being in her presence that didn't seem like it should be happening with an avatar of her own creation. 'Unless... they all count as part of me...' she thought in this moment. It explained quite a bit, but she still didn't intend to let some other part of herself fully enjoy her life to find herself sidelined. 'Obviously, she can hear you... she's plucking at the inside of my head like caged animal,' she thought. Still, she was being forced to maintain this eye contact, and found the lad's hand moving up her chest to her neck and settling below her chin. Her face was now so close to his, she was almost afraid to move her lips, but something he'd just said was stuck in her head, and brought a strange feeling to her body. But there was a question, right on the tip of her tongue, which passed through her barely moving lips. "Your Tatsuki?"

[Bloodedge]

There was a great deal of distance, that being the entire length of the palace from entrance to throne, but Karna could see somewhat clearly. The close proximity of the returning pair was an interesting, yet annoying sight to behold. However... he would see it through without interrupting, if only for the sake of avoiding a Dragon's wrath again.

Speaking of avoiding the things of Dragons, Miki's attempts to still her lips were obvious to Akashi. His eyes could see everything. When she finally chose to speak again, he could see the restraint in her lips. This was the case even while he was focused on her eyes. Why would she even bother? The Dragon scratching at her very soul would not have done so. He remembered their brief time. The two of them were free in the way only Dragons could be, and it was an experience Akashi would see continued. Perhaps this was simply linked to the human soul behind the Avatar somehow, but Akashi didn't care for all of that. The grin on his face was commanding, even a bit smug. In this state, he was absolute. Only one was allowed to meet him on these terms. "Yes. My Tatsuki," he said, clearly making no efforts to restrain the movement of his own lips. Due to this, his retort would see his moving lips brush against Miki's quite easily. "You don't have a problem with that... right, Tatsuki?"

[Apollymi]

'Kimi... what are you doing?' this was the thought in the head of Seriri. Of course, she was simply wondering what kind of the trouble the lass could have gotten herself into with the Dragon on such a simple retrieval. Beyond all of that, there was something very strange about her relationship with the lad Kou and Seriri was keen to figure out the exact nature of this connection.

Miki was in a situation most precarious by her own approximation. She had no intention of backing down, whether this was a machination of her Dragon or simply one of her personality was not really important. What was currently important was this new game of chicken she was playing with Akashi, she'd not quite backed out of enough. As a Dragon, she knew the lad didn't accept anyone else being at the same level as him, an exception was made to this rule for her other Avatar Tatsuki, who was a similar kind of being for whatever reason. What she hadn't quite gotten around to in her complete analysis was the fact that both of them were similar enough to create similar avatars with barely any connection to start with. His lips brushed against hers as he spoke, he didn't seem to care about this level of closeness. This wasn't at all how she was used to maintaining herself in this lad's presence. He'd claimed her, this part of her as his, with a smug grin at that. What was she actually supposed to say? It would be the case, that Miki herself wasn't really given an option, as the pounding of rushing water in her head, stopped her from arguing once more. "No, I don't mind. Look after me." There was a bluntness to this statement not normally possessed by Miki or even by Kimi her original self. Even so, it wasn't something she'd stop herself from saying, and in the same moment her own restraint seemed to disappear as well, as if she no longer cared to avoid the situation before her.

[Bloodedge]

Even in this proximity, the blonde continued to meet him without backing down. He knew this was nothing more than a game of chicken, but one could only wonder why. What's more, her words of response were intriguing. "Hoh? And how do you expect I'll do that?" he asked. Surely there was something. The Dragon was there, he could still feel it... and yet, part of him wondered how much of Tatsuki's influence was in place here. It didn't matter too much, but he still wondered. Even more imperative than that was the relaxation he could see in Miki's face. She'd given up on her restraint, leaving the situation at hand just where he'd initiated it. "You should specify, Tatsuki. And, depending, you should also prove yourself."

[Apollymi]

The rushing sound within Miki's head seemed to lower itself to something of a lull. It was more like background noise, and in addition, after having given up on being argumentative about the Dragon-related topics, it seemed her internal Dragon was fine with letting Miki be, for the most part. Though she was obviously still there, and right below the surface waiting for the right opportunity. In this current more relaxed state, Miki spoke directly to this lad's face her lips moving gently against his, still playing this strange game of chicken. "I thought it was obvious, by doing what you want. You being here is enough for me. I don't require anything specific," the lass mentioned and this was quite true. All she ever really wanted was to be accepted as she was without issue, if he was willing to do this, then there were no problems to be had by the lass while he performed any of his doting behaviors. There was one more minor thing, which was about to come from the lass, but she didn't intend to lose this game of chicken this time. "Miki desu," she mentioned in passing as her lips pursed and she aimed to meet his. It technically wouldn't be the first time she committed such an action, but in this moment as her normal Avatar, she was proving to herself that she wasn't afraid even when her form didn't match his.

[Bloodedge]

And so, the final piece of information was there. Akashi thought this to be a simple desire, but no more than he likely would have done regardless. The presence of Tatsuki was weaker by the time she spoke. Though it was still there, he could confirm that she was not necessarily speaking her own desire through her lesser self. "Sou desu ka," he said. Once again, Miki would correct his use of a name to that which belonged to the blonde Avatar. If Akashi intended to speak a retort immediately, he would be incapable. His mouth had abruptly become occupied as Miki's puckered lips met his, which then pursed themselves to suit the union. His hand remained on her chin all the while, and it would not be he who broke the kiss. In fact, the Dragonoid Akashi was more than bold enough to slip his tongue into the girl's mouth as well.

[Apollymi]

It seemed the simple nature of Miki's desires could be acknowledged without any qualms. What was more, she also was allowed to close the distance between them with her mouth and surprisingly her mouth was met by his own ready for this kiss she initiated. Strangely, the lad didn't stop this action at all, and beyond the level of their normal interaction, even progressed it further. She felt the warmth of this Dragonoid's tongue slip into her mouth and her eyes widened. Still his hand was on her chin and though it was likely a bit greedy, she didn't stop this for quite a few moments. Her own tongue playing against the one that belonged to the invader until her own need to breathe made her back away gently. She caught her breath in short bursts, her lips lightly flushed and her face gaining a similar tint. "Um-hm," this was a small noise which escaped her, but her head fully fluttered with the boldness of her own actions, which she could blame on no one but herself. 'Shit... what the hell am I thinking?!' she questioned herself. Hadn't she decided to leave this lad alone because he didn't seem interested? Was the simple interest of at least one of his avatars enough to make her change her mind so much? Or had she simply taken as much of what she was given as she possibly could, because it was right in front of her and she didn't know moderation? Any of these things could be right or none of them, she wasn't entirely sure herself anymore.

[Bloodedge]

The need to breathe on Miki's behalf was the only thing that separated them. What a shame this was. Akashi wasn't quite done yet, and he'd even managed a favorable reaction from the girl... or more specifically, her tongue as it toyed about with his own. Though quite different from the incomplete Dance of Dragons he shared with Tatsuki, this was something he could consider satisfactory for one who would be incapable of the dance. "Mhm?" he questioned as his hand moved from her chin to the side of her face, which it rubbed most possessively. "You'll be joining me on the throne then, won't you? If you insist on not being Tatsuki, your place should be... beneath me. Would that be more to your taste, or will it be the throne after all?" Akashi's choice of words was oddly perverse, yet also very much as he intended.

[Apollymi]

Miki was experiencing a crisis of her own conscience. She didn't feel bad about her actions, but she wasn't sure how she should interpret her own actions in this moment. She wasn't given much time to think it over, soon enough Akashi's hand moved from her chin to the side of her face. He committed to rubbing her face, in a manner that implied possession. The words the lad spoke thereafter could be taken several ways, but implied perversion at a level higher than most people would willingly put forth. Miki's eyes widened but strangely the lass chose to grin in this moment. There wasn't any different way she wished to take the statement he'd made. "Sou ka... Well, I don't necessarily see myself beneath anyone. But that isn't really a point I need to negotiate with you right just now is it?" she said with a bit of cheekiness. "You can have your throne, I'll take your lap. It's a better seat anyways..." the blonde lass said flippantly, oddly still feeling like this was a bit more of that game of chicken than she originally thought she'd been playing. Still, she strangely had no problem with this lad's actions or words. Perhaps this was because of their shared interests? Or perhaps it was something else, she'd simply been avoiding for the lad's continued comfort as her partner? Regardless, it seemed their detour had made a relatively short trip take quite a bit longer than normal.